2 cops to die for killing Abu Sayed, 3 sentenced to life, 25 get different jail terms

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sentenced two policemen to death and three other officers of the force to life imprisonment in a crimes against humanity case over the killing of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the 2024 July Uprising.

In the verdict delivered today (9 April), the three-member Tribunal-2 bench, led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, also handed different terms of imprisonment to 28 other accused.

The two other members of the bench are retired district sessions judge Md Manjurul Bashid and District and Sessions Judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir.

The duo who will walk the gallows are then assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amir Hossain and constable Sujan Chandra Roy.

The three who received life in prison are former assistant commissioner of police (Kotwali Zone) Arifuzzaman alias Jiban, then police inspector (unarmed) of Tajhat Police Station Rabiul Islam alias Nayan, and former camp in-charge of Begum Rokeya University, Bibhuti Bhushan Ray, also known as Madhab.

Among others, seven individuals have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. They are former vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Hasibur Rashid alias Bacchu; former commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Moniruzzaman alias Beltu; associate professor of mathematics Moshiur Rahman; associate professor of public administration Asaduzzaman Mondal alias Asad; assistant registrar Rafiul Hasan Russell; assistant registrar Hafizur Rahman alias Tufan; and banned Chhatra League's Begum Rokeya University unit president Pomel Barua.

Eight others have been sentenced to five years in prison. They include former deputy commissioner of Rangpur Metropolitan Police Abu Maruf Hossain alias Titu; former additional deputy commissioner Shah Noor Alam Patowary alias Suman; former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam; Rangpur Chhatra League joint general secretary Emran Chowdhury alias Akash alias Disha; joint general secretary Masudul Hasan alias Masud; university office assistant-cum-computer operator Mahabubar Rahman alias Babu; president of Rangpur Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad Dr Sarowat Hossain alias Chandan; and MLSS AKM Amir Hossain alias Amu.

Of the convicts, six were present at the dock when the tribunal pronounced the verdict, while the rest were tried in absentia.

Those in custody are Amir Hossain, Shariful Islam, Sujan Chandra Roy, and Chhatra League leaders Imran Chowdhury, Rafiul Hasan Russell, and Anwar Parvez.

The tribunal began reading out the short verdict in the case at around 12:15pm. 

Before delivering the verdict, the tribunal observed, "The police members before whom Abu Sayed stood with his chest bared had turned inhuman that day."

Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury made the remark at the beginning of the verdict.

He said, "Abu Sayed stood fearlessly with his arms outstretched. He believed that those standing before him were human, and that they would not harm him. But he did not realise then that those people had turned inhuman."

Earlier, on 5 March, the tribunal fixed 9 April to pronounce the verdict in the case.

On 27 January, the tribunal kept the case under CAV (curia advisari vult), a Latin legal term meaning the court awaits its verdict, after concluding the hearing.

Prosecutor SM Maynul Karim said the prosecution recorded statements from a total of 25 witnesses, including eyewitnesses, experts, journalists, doctors, and police personnel in this case.

Individuals who were shot alongside Abu Sayed, as well as background witnesses, including current Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah, also testified in court. In addition, CCTV footage from the scene and live television broadcasts were submitted as evidence.

On 30 June last year, the ICT took cognisance of charges against 30 people, including former vice chancellor Hasibur Rashid and issued arrest warrants against the absconding accused.

For the 24 fugitives, the state appointed four lawyers to represent the prosecution.

The tribunal's investigation agency submitted charge sheet against them on 24 June.

The ICT formally framed charges on 6 August and the official trial began on 27 August with the presentation of opening statements.

The next day, Abu Sayed's father, Mokbul Hossain, gave his testimony as the first witness in the case.

The hearing of all witnesses concluded on 14 January this year, and the final arguments were presented on 27 January.

Abu Sayed, a 12th batch student of BRUR's English department, was shot dead during students' protests on 16 July 2024 in front of the university.

The killing intensified the movement, which ultimately culminated in a mass uprising, leading to the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August 2024.